Background: Levofloxacin is a fluorinated quinolone antimicrobial used in the treatment of various bacterial infections and was active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Levofloxacin is an optically active isomer of ofloxacin. Apart from its antibacterial action, it also exhibit antinociceptive properties. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the analgesic activity of Levofloxacin in albino rat in comparison with aspirin.Methods: Thirty adult albino rats weighing 150-250 gm were obtained from central animal house. The animals were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group I served as control received normal feed and water. Group II served as standard received tablet aspirin 100 mg/kg (oral) and Group III, IV, V served as test T1, T2, T3 and received tablet levofloxacin 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg (oral), respectively. The analgesic effect of levofloxacin was evaluated using Eddy’s hot plate and tail flick methods and compared with standard analgesic aspirin. The values obtained were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical analysis of difference between groups were carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Probability p<0.05 was taken as the level of statistical significance.Results: Levofloxacin at 40 mg/kg showed statistically (p<0.05) elevation in pain threshold and a higher antinociceptive activity in comparison to control and standard groups.Conclusions: In the present study, levofloxacin has showed promising results as an analgesic when compared to the control and standard groups. It may be a lead compound for identifying newer adjuvant analgesic agents.

To assess the cost difference of various branded and generic antimalarial drugs available in the Indian market. Background: Malaria is a highly prevalent infectious disease in India. There are innumerable brands of antimalarials in the market with variation in the cost. The cost of treatment is an important aspect of health economics. Cost-related poor patient compliance is a significant problem resulting in incomplete treatment which tends to increase morbidity and mortality. Hence this study was done to assess the cost variation of various preparations of antimalarials (branded and generic) available in India. Materials and Methods: The maximum and minimum price of each antimalarial drug in rupees (INR) was noted by using CIMS July to October 2018 edition, Drug Today July to October 2018, and www.1mg. com. The cost ratio and the percentage of cost variation for individual drugs were calculated and compared. Results: There is a very high variation in the cost of various antimalarials available in India. The highest variation in cost ratio and percentage of cost variation was seen with Chloroquine 500 mg, Mefloquine 250 mg, and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine 500+25 mg. The lowest cost ratio and percentage of cost variation were seen with Artesunate 120 mg injection, Arteether-Lumefantrine 20 + 120 mg, and Artemether 40 mg. Conclusion:This study reveals the need to further improve the drug price regulatory mechanism concerning antimalarials available in India to improve patient compliance and thus cure rates of malaria.